Fort Ebey State Park is located six miles northwest of Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Island County.

Acreage

645 acres with 8,000 feet of saltwater on Admiralty Inlet and 1,000 feet of freshwater frontage on Lake Pondilla.

Acquired

The park was acquired from the Federal Government in three parcels; the first in 1965 and the last in 1991, for a total cost of $3,666,568.

Historical Background

Fort Ebey was one of the more recent links in the coastal defense system of Puget Sound. The fort was constructed in 1942 and named after the pioneer commander of the 1855 Militia stationed on an island in Ebey Slough. A few years later, Colonel Ebey was slain by the Northern Indians who sought revenge for the death of their chief. The park is the site of a World War II gun battery which had two six-inch guns at the time of the war. The guns were removed after the war and cut up for scrap. In addition to the gun battery, the fort had observation stations, storage rooms, residences and other facilities to support the fort.

Facilities

The park was developed in 1980­81 and opened to the public in February of 1981. Its facilities include a 53 site campground with restroom and showers, beach access, 24 picnic sites, concrete bunker structure, three miles of trail, automated U.S. Coast Guard light/horn, 1 residence, 1 shop building, and 1 day use restroom. Cascadia Marine Trail campsite.

Activities

Camping, picnicking, hiking, interpretation, beachcombing.